V.A.T, in school fees

It's bright sunshine in my thoughts

Even though those pies won't ever see the light of day?

Look what you've started now, roses!

You're right, they probably never will
They were probably leftover school dinner pies anyway

So pigs do fly, oh dear

Only in dreams

Parents of children in private schools already pay income tax (often 40 per cent) of which some is for education. Like people with no children they are not using the LA education services. They also free up state school places. Why should they be taxed again? I say this as a parent of children who went to state school.

Trisher just going back to your point about criticism of Labour not explaining how it will fund its policies, then criticism of them when they do, I take your point, but I don't think it applies here. The funding issue really relates to spending as a whole, not individual items. Actually I think Labour have said how they propose to fund their policies overall - they have set outline tax rises and (substantial) borrowing plans. More detail to come I imagine. But why say "charge vat on school fees to pay for free school meals". Why not better cancer treatment? Or better care for the elderly? Or to build more affordable housing? What happens when the two figures don't balance anymore (less kids go the private schools, the cost of school meals goes up....?) Do we then stop giving free meals? What if more than enough is collected - do we throw in a light breakfast? It's all just a colourful soundbite. But I suppose that's politics.
ps Jen - impressive all round qualifications! I scraped 6 O Levels and a "Confidence" swimming certificate!

When a child is educated privately the parents have contributed the same as everyone else towards education via taxes but have not made use of the free facility which leaves more money for the regular schools. Let us say for example 500,000 children were withdrawn from private education because the fees had become excessive then the government would have to provide schools and teachers to educate them. The parents of privately educated children are therefore making a huge contribution to the education of those children whose parents choose to send them to "free" schools.

You're right Fitzy54, it's just an empty Labour soundbite, barely worth a D+ grade.

No parents at private schools are going to be handing in their term's notice next week in fear of this proposal coming to life. Also, it's worth noting that many independent schools in popular areas have long waiting lists, and spaces for 2020 nursery children have all been filled already.

Esspee do you imagine those parents would be happy about the conditions and facilities in state schools? Perhaps if they didn't have the option of private schooling they would insist on a properly funded state system which would benefit all children. A much better contribution than any they make at present.

Strange how many people like to stick up for the 7% who go to private schools. What about the 93%?

They are not being asked to pay tax on all their income, just VAT on the fees. If they can afford £10,000 a year for the fees, they can afford another £2000 for the VAT on top of that.
They won't even have to sell a horse for that. Perhaps not go on an extra holiday to pay for a few school dinners for ordinary kids. Not a problem I wouldn't think.

Thanks, Fitzy.

Lots of people on here say they wouldn't mind paying more tax providing they knew it was spent on, e.g., the NHS.
What's the difference between that and knowing VAT from school fees will go on free school meals for primary children?

Jen, are you judging all parents who choose private education with your own family experience?

State schooling is properly funded , indeed so much money has been put into it over the years that nobody should complain.They have good facilities and conditions.
At the moment only children who are deemed to really need it have free school dinners......that's all we are talking about here.
Corbyn can promise anything he likes at this time and his pies in the sky may make tasty virtual meals.

The two countries that give free school meals for all pupils are Finland and Sweden.
Their educational attainment is far better than ours.
Just saying.

I expect that is far more to do with other things than dinners though.Smaller classes, better behaved children who respect their teachers etc.

I had nightmares all night rosesarered about flying creatures with pigs' bodies and Jeremy Corbyn-like heads.

happy to be of service!

Did they have up the revolution hats on Jalima?

Esspee I tried to say the same thing but I don't know if anyone took up the point!

djen you are assuming a lot about parents who pay for private schooling for their children if you think they can all afford an extra £2, 000+ pa. Many who do this are teachers working in the state system who would rather pay than send their own children to the comprehensives where they teach. That was a fact when my DC were at school anyway.

It was a relief to wake up

Perhaps durhamjen's parents were so rich that she assumes all those who send their children to private schools must be. wouldn't even have to sell a horse...

rosesarered how much do you know about the Finish/Swedish education system and the children in it. Don't you think they have some of the same problems we do and in fact more of some because they take a larger number of immigrant children?
As for education being well funded, tell that to the support staff losing their jobs, the head teachers asking parents to donate, the teachers packing children into overcrowded classes and the parents who can't get their child into the school of their choice. Why? Because this government has steadily reduced funding to LEAs and spent on uncontrolled free schools in an idealogical campaign to undermine local authorities.